Government Accountability

Best Legislative Session Ever?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 6, 2010

Jan Murphy of the Patriot-News notes that the 2009-10 Pennsylvania Legislative Session had the fewest new laws passed in 24 years. Since most pieces of legislation are a new…

Media

Read More: Best Legislative Session Ever?

Unemployment Compensation Time Bomb Set to Explode

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • December 2, 2010

Unemployment woes are back in the news.  With benefit extensions up for debate, a much bigger unemployment problem is on the horizon. Pennsylvania’s unemployment compensation fund is bankrupt, but…

Media

Read More: Unemployment Compensation Time Bomb Set to Explode

Taxes & Economy

Misinformation Fuels Severance Tax (or Fee)

  • November 22, 2010

It’s not surprising that so many Pennsylvanians believe the state needs a severance tax, when they are bombarded with biased and misleading information. A recent example comes from the…

Media

Read More: Misinformation Fuels Severance Tax (or Fee)

Regulation

Does Professional Licensing Protect Consumers or Big Business?

  • November 18, 2010

After his friend was killed by a drunk driver, Illinois resident Jonathon Schoenakase began to offer bar patrons a free ride home. Although he never charged for this service, Schoenakase…

Commentary

Read More: Does Professional Licensing Protect Consumers or Big Business?

Regulation

Pension “Reform” Goes to Gov. Rendell

  • November 15, 2010

HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation expressed disappointment with today’s passage of House Bill 2497, which defers significant pension costs on to…

Press Release

Read More: Pension “Reform” Goes to Gov. Rendell

If Teachers Only Knew…

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • November 12, 2010

I know teachers. I used to be one, in fact. And I know that no teacher would knowingly steal from his kids and grandkids. That's why I am appalled that…

Commentary

Read More: If Teachers Only Knew…

Regulation

13 Reasons to Oppose HB 2497

  • November 12, 2010

Pennsylvania's largest public pension plans—Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS) and State Employees Retirement System (SERS)—are severely underfunded.  But instead of reforming the defined-benefit pension system and paying down these…

Fact Sheet

Read More: 13 Reasons to Oppose HB 2497

Education

Poll Shows Pennsylvanians Favor School Choice

  • November 9, 2010

Harrisburg, PA—Pennsylvania voters elected a Governor last Tuesday who is committed to school choice, sending a message that our children’s right to an excellent education is one they are…

Press Release

Read More: Poll Shows Pennsylvanians Favor School Choice

Taxes & Economy

Stop the Midnight Raid on PennVEST for a “Pipeline to Nowhere”

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • November 8, 2010

MEMORANDUM TO: Members of the General Assembly FROM:   Matthew J. Brouillette, President & CEO, Commonwealth Foundation DATE: November 8, 2010 RE: Stop Rendell/Hanger’s Midnight Raid on PennVEST…

Press Release

Read More: Stop the Midnight Raid on PennVEST for a “Pipeline to Nowhere”